Smartphones and Tablets

All iPhones and Android phones and tablets (Samsung, Pixel, etc) contain a GPS chip for location services. So our app will be able to use the phone’s location service to trigger commentary automatically.

Using iPads

iPad models must include a GPS chip, in order for GyPSy Guide to function properly.

“WiFi-only” models have limited location functionality while within WiFi zones and do not provide full GPS function. These will not work correctly while driving. If you are unsure what type of iPad you have, you should find the model number on the back – Google that number to find out.

If you have bought the app on a WiFi-only iPad, the tour won’t be able to play automatically. However, all iPhones have a GPS chip. You can download onto your iPhone, at no extra cost, so long as you share the same iTunes account on both devices. Go back into the App Store and you’ll see a download or cloud icon. Tap that icon to download over WiFi.

Not for eReader-type Devices

Kindles, Nooks, Kobos etc are excellent eBook readers. However, our tour apps require technology that is not contained in these devices and the tours will not function correctly.

Not for laptops

The apps operate on mobile platforms – iOS for iPhone and iPads, and Android. Laptops do not run on mobile operating systems – so the programs aren’t written for them. It is not possible run the tours on a laptop – even if you connect a GPS device.

You must download the apps over a reliable wifi source. You most likely have a very good wifi network at home or at work, so downloading before you leave can be easiest.

Even if you have an Unlimited Data Plan, your carrier may still restrict the size of file you can download over the cellular data network. Downloading on a wifi network is required. Using a hot spot or a tether to create a wifi signal is not a wifi network and you may still experience limitations in downloading. Go to a wifi network to download.

Be aware that some hotels or free wifi services only offer limited downloading abilities as a free option. You may be required to pay for an upgrade to a full service network.

If you are already traveling, find a free wifi service (Starbucks, McDonalds or better, a local coffee shop).

Our apps are larger so that they can work offline. On an average wifi network, most tour apps should download within a minute or 2. Some remote locations may have limited connectivity or be very slow – and downloading may be slower.

If you are on a good wifi network, but the app doesn’t completely download – check to make sure your device isn’t out of memory!

The good news is that GyPSy Guides work offline and do not need wifi or cell signal to operate while touring. Even if you are from another country, you can leave you cellular data function turned off and the tour will function.

While you are touring, the app is using the free GPS signal. This signal does not come from cellular network companies and does not require data.

Before you start, you must download the app over a wifi network. Once you have the app, you do not need a network connection to tour.

Most carriers (Verizon, AT&T, Bell etc) will block a larger file download, if you try and download the apps over data. This will appear as if the download process has stalled, but it will often be your carrier limiting your data download, for your protection.

You can re-download the tour onto another device – so long as the device has the same account details and account remains the same – eg, you use the same iTunes account on both devices. For Android, you must use the same Google Play account on both devices.

You can re-download an app later if you delete it to save space.

Go into the store on your device and find or search for the app. You’ll notice a cloud icon or “download” button, instead of a price. Again this download must be done over wifi.

Note – it is not possible to re-download or transfer an app across the 2 different platforms. Eg you cannot download an app you purchased from the App Store on your iPhone, onto an Android device. (or vice versa).

Using the App

Location Aware

Audio Points

When we (blue dot) pass through an audio marker (arrow), an audio box will open and the commentary plays automatically. The audio markers (arrows) point in the direction they are programmed to play.

All you have to do is drive on the tour route. and enjoy the scenery and the tour commentary.

There is no need to input where you want to go. Just begin the tour route at a suggested starting location , or join anywhere along the route and drive in the general direction of where you want to go. All necessary instructions and directions are included in the audio.

There’s no need to select a particular route – its all one big tour. Just begin the tour route at a suggested starting location , or join anywhere along the route and drive in the general direction of where you want to go. All necessary instructions and directions to follow the routes are included in the audio.

On larger tours, we might divide the area up into logical bite size routes to follow. These are just our suggestions – there is no need to “select” that tour section.

If you have choices about particular routes or side trips, you will always hear those options in the audio.

If a side trip requires you to turn off the main route, you will hear the directions.

Once you make that turn or route choice, the app knows and commentary continues for that route.

You can listen to the audio commentary points before you go, or after you come back if you are trying to remember something from the tour.

We don’t recommend manually tapping your way all through the tour before you go – there’s hours of commentary. The audio is designed to be experienced while you are visiting the destination and seeing the sights!

iPhone and iPad

Tap on the Browse Tour button (scroll down home screen). This will take you to the map.

Tap the arrow icons with your finger. An audio box will open – tap the play symbol to hear the audio.

Drag the map using one finger. Use your thumb and forefinger in a pinching motion (to zoom out) or spread motion (to zoom in) on the map.

Once you are driving the route, the screen automatically centers your location (blue dot) on the screen. Zoom out so you can see your location, in relation to the recommended start points and audio points.

Android

Select the Preview Tour mode (after Start Tour)

Tap the arrow icons with your finger. An audio box will open – tap the play symbol to hear the audio.

Drag the map around with your finger. Tap anywhere on the map screen to see the +/- symbol. Tap this to zoom the map in or out.

Once you are driving the route, the screen automatically centers your location (blue dot) on the screen. Zoom out so you can see your location, in relation to the recommended start points and audio points.

No. You can join the tour anywhere along the route. We provide a suggested start location using these markers .

But you can join anywhere along the route.

Once you have joined the tour route, commentary will automatically play when you drive through the next arrow point on the map. Once you join the tour route, all necessary directions and instructions are included in the audio.

We have carefully designed our tours to take you to all the best sightseeing locations in the region you are visiting. We recommend following the tours the way they are designed for the best possible experience.

For some routes, there are really no alternative ways to explore, so the route follows the only available way to drive.

Check the the description of your tour to see if there is a particular direction you must drive the tour. Most tours can be done in both directions, and it will specifically say in the description if for some reason – like a loop tour – if you must go a specific way.

If a tour requires that we must drive “out and back” on the same road, we will have different commentary for the return direction.

Take a cigarette lighter-style car charger (DC charger). The app will use your battery faster than normal because it is using the GPS abilities of your device. You want to keep charging as you drive.

AUX cable, if you aren’t connecting via Bluetooth (wireless). An auxiliary cable (looks like a headphone cable at both ends) is a great alternative if you have any challenges pairing with the vehicle – especially in a rental.

Charging

Using location services will use you battery up faster, so you’ll need to stay charged throughout your day of sightseeing.

We recommend using a DC (or cigarette style) charger to connect to your car for charging. This type of charger is better at charging and does not cause any synchronizing issues with the vehicle’s system.

We do not recommend plugging directly into the vehicle’s USB port for charging – especially in rental cars. Often your device will try and sync with the vehicle, and you may be unfamiliar with the Phone and Media settings if in a rental car.

iPhones have a known behavior where they will immediately play the next audio file they can find – usually the first song in your iTunes list. This can be very repetitive!! The best thing to do is unplug from the vehicle’s USB port.

Pairing (connecting) your device with the vehicle stereo

All vehicles have independent instructions for media & phone settings, so refer to your vehicle’s manual for details. The pairing is a function of the the vehicle and your phone. The app does not have its own pairing function.

We recommend using either a Bluetooth (wireless) connection or AUX cable (looks like a headphone jack at both ends) to connect and play the commentary through the vehicle stereo.

So long as your blue location dot is displaying on the map – then your device knows where you are and will play the tour commentary.

Sometimes Android devices display this message instantly, even though it might take a couple of seconds to find your location. The message stays on for 10-20 seconds even though your location is functioning.

If you see the blue dot, you are good to go!

If you do not see your blue dot after 30 seconds – make sure Location is turned on! Use the High Accuracy setting for location – this uses GPS signal.

Top Tips

2) Make a Bluetooth pairing between your phone/tablet and the vehicle’s stereo. Its important that the pairing includes being for AUDIO or MEDIA. Some vehicles have 2 separate “channels”, one for phone functions (calling) and one for audio (like music and audio from the tour)

3) If in a rental or unfamiliar vehicle – if you have challenges with pairing your phone, it can be easier to use an auxiliary cable for audio. This cable is dedicated only to connecting audio to the vehicle – it does not have a function in charging (use a DC charger).

4) Its optional to have a phone cradle. Its not necessary to look at your phone while touring. The commentary plays automatically, so you only need to listen.

We do not recommend plugging directly into the vehicle’s USB port for charging – especially in rental cars.

Often your device will try and sync with the vehicle, and you may be unfamiliar with the Phone and Media settings if in a rental car.

Trying to use the USB port directly AND a Bluetooth pairing can cause the audio not to play through the car stereo. The problem is usually fixed by unplugging from the USB port. Its much better to use the DC charger socket (cigarette lighter) for charging, and a Bluetooth pairing for audio.

iPhones have a known behavior where they will immediately play the next audio file they can find – usually the first song in your iTunes list. This can be very annoyingly repetitive!! The best thing to do is unplug from the vehicle’s USB port.

Pairing (connecting) your device with the vehicle stereo

All vehicles have independent instructions for media & phone settings, so refer to your vehicle’s manual for details. The pairing is a function of the the vehicle and your phone. The app does not have its own pairing function.

The easy alternative to Bluetooth pairing is to use an Auxiliary Cable for audio.

If you can see the audio box opens as you drive through the arrows, and the marker is moving, but you can’t hear any audio, try these things using the Sound Check:

Phone “Media” Volume Not Turned Up

This is different from your phone’s “Ringer” volume. Check by pressing the volume up button on the side of your phone WHILE THE SOUND CHECK AUDIO IS PLAYING.

Check Bluetooth Connection

If using Bluetooth, check the pairing is successful. The vehicle may have 2 separate Bluetooth settings, one for phone and one for media. If you cannot confirm that you have a media pairing by playing the Sound Check successfully, then leave the Bluetooth turned off. In rental cars, other users before you may have affected the Bluetooth settings. Refer to the vehicle manual about how to pair the device in that specific vehicle.

AUX

Auxiliary cables provide a direct connection that is only for audio and look like a headphone jack at each end. They can be purchased inexpensively at many gas stations. An auxiliary cable makes an audio-only connection from your phone to the AUX port on the vehicle. The AUX port in the car is usually on the stereo, next to the power outlet or in the center console. Make sure the car radio is set to AUX or Media.

Test With USB Unplugged

Sometimes connecting directly into the car’s USB port can cause audio syncing problems. If you have connected directly to the car’s USB port and you are not hearing audio, try removing the USB connection. If the sound now plays, then leave the USB connection unplugged and change to cigarette lighter type of charger.

Device Speaker

If you do not have a method to relay the sound through the car stereo, then set your device volume control to maximum and listen to the audio from the iPhone or iPad. There is no internal volume control within the app itself.

Reboot

If you are unable to hear the audio play while the marker is moving after trying these – then reboot your device. Sometimes a reboot will fix any conflicts occurring within the phone. Close the GyPSy Guide app. Completely power the device off. Restart and launch the app again with Bluetooth off and no cables plugged in. Perform the Sound Check. Can you hear the audio through the device speaker? Then try Bluetooth. If you can hear the audio, then plug directly into the USB port if you need to. This should help you determine if one of these steps is the blocking audio.

If you follow the set up instructions with app – you should not have any problems.

Each tour app contains a Help section in the menu. This covers all the most important things to pay attention to and simple fixes for the most common things that cause issues with set up.

There is also a toll-free support number that you can call for assistance. Some National Parks and drives do not have much cell signal. But in many places along these drives, you will often find land-line public phones that you can use to call the toll-free number.

The app you download includes information about where your tour starts playing commentary. Make sure that you have arrived at the place where your tour begins. You will not hear commentary before you arrive at the beginning of the tour.